Refrigeration



April 18,1933- M. WEXLER 1,904,590

REFRIGERATION Filed March 7, 1932 INVEwJILA due...

I Patented Apr. 18, 1 9 33 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEYER WEXLER, OF CARTERET, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR '10 FOSTER WHEELER CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK REFRIGERATION Application filed March 7,

My invention relates tothe art of refrigeration and particularly to refrigeration by what is commonly termed the flash method.

In refrigerating apparatus employing the flash method, a liquid to be refrigerated, usually water or a brine solution, is introduced into a receptacle or flash chamber wherein a high degree of vacuum (low ab solute pressure) is maintained. A portion of the liquid is evaporated due to the low pressure and the heat of evaporation is taken from the remaining liquid, thereby cooling it.

I prefer to maintain thevacuum in the flash chamber by means of a steam ejector or thermo-compressor. A thermo-com-- pressor utilizes steam under pressure and emitted at high velocity into a converging tube to draw vapor from the flash chamber, thus producing a vacuum in the latter. The

thermo-compressor discharges into a condenser where the steam used to operate the thermo-compressor and the vapor withdrawn from the flash chamber are condensed.

In a refrigerating apparatus of this type the temperature to which the liquid in the flash chamber is cooled by evaporation bears a direct relationship to the degree of vacuum maintained in the flash chamber. Hence, in order to regulate the temperature of the liquid it is necessary to regulate the vacuum maintained. This may be'done by varying the quantity of steam supplied to the thermo-compressor, but I have found that close regulation is not obtainable in this manner. Due to the inherent characteristics of therfno-compressors, a wide variation over one range in the amount of steam supplied thereto mayhave but little effect on the vacuum produced, while a-small variation over another range may have a large effect bn the vacuum. In accordance with my invention, I regulate the vacuum produced by reintroducing a portion of the vapor withdrawn from the flash chamber. To do this I provide a conduit connecting the outlet of the ther mo-compressor with the flash chamber. As a higher absolute. pressure exists at the outlet r .of the themo-compressor than in the flash chamber, vapor may pass through the above of a pump 14. Pump 14 1932. Serial No. 597,161.

connection and will increase the absolutepressure in the flash chamber. In order to regulate this pressure, I provide a valve in the conduit connecting the flash chamber with the outlet of the thermo-compressor. This 65 valve is preferably automatically regulated in accordance with either the pressure existing in the flash chamber or in accordance with the temperature therein or in accordance with the temperature at some other point in the system.

My invention will be more fully described in the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms a part of thisspecification and which is a more or less diagrammatic view, chiefly in cross-section, of a preferred embodiment of my invention:

Referring to the drawing, reference character 10 designates a closed vessel, hereinafter termeda flash chamber. Liquid to be cooled,

for instance, water, is introduced into chamber 10 by means of a conduit 11, adjacent to the open end of which is a distributing'member 12. Member 12 serves to break up and spread the stream of liquid discharged from conduit 11'. A conduit 13 is connected to the bottom of flash chamber 10 and to the intake discharges through a conduit 15.

In the embodiment shown, the refrigerating system is used in connection with an air conditioning system, although my invention 'is in no way limited to such an application.

Air to be conditioned is' introduced into a chamber 16 through a conduit 17 and is discharged therefrom through a conduit 18. In the upperpart of chamber 16 there is located a distributor or spraying means 19. Conduit 15'is connected to distributor l9 and supplies cold liquid thereto. Conduit 11 is, connected ,to thebottom of chamber 16.

A thermo-compressor 20 is provided with an inlet opening 21 and an outlet opening 22. Inlet opening 21.is connected to flash chamber 10. Thermorcompressor 20 comprises a series of nozzles 23 connected to a steam chest 24 which is supplied with steam under pressure through a conduit 25. Nozzles 23 discharge into a converging tube 26 which is connected the valve, the result is that a substantially constant pressure is maintained in flash chamber'lO irrespective of the fact that evaporation takes place therein at an increased rate.

In the event that less cooling effect is required, the temperature of the water introduced into the flash chamber becomes lower and hence a smaller amount need be evaporated to remove the heat necessary to reduce the temperature to the desired point. However, the thermo-compressor removes vapor at a constant rate and therefore it removes more vapor than it should to reduce the temperature to said desired point. The result is that both the pressure and the temperature are temporarily reduced below their de-- sired values, whereupon valve 36 opens and allows more vapor to pass through conduit 35. The thermo-compressor now has to remove this additional vapor and hence can remove less vapor flashed in the flash chamher. The result again is the maintenance of a substantially constant pressure, and hence a substantially constant temperature, in flash chamber 10. i

Instead of controlling valve 36 directly by the temperature of the water in the lower part of the flash chamber, the valve may be controlled directly in response to tempera-.

tures in other parts of the system. In the drawing there are illustrated wells located at various points. A well is shown in the vapor space of flash chamber 10. A well 51 is shown in conduit 15. Wells 52 and 53 are shown in conduits 17 and 18i respectively,

trolled directly in accordance with the tem-.

perature adjacent to the well in which eleinent 43 is located. It will be appreciated that it may be necessary to change the tension of spring 41 for difierent locations of. the element 43. Furthermore, the temperature to be maintained'can be regulated by varying the tension of spring 41.

Inasmuch as the temperature and pressure existing in flash chamber 10 are directly proportionate to each other, the pressure may be used to operate piston 39 directly. Forthis purpose there is shown a conduit 55 provided with a manually operable valve 56 connected to the vapor space of flash chamber 10. In order to operate valve 36 directly in accordance with the pressure in the flash chamber, element 43 may be removed from conduit 42and conduit 42 connected directly to conduit 55. Thus,the pressure existing in flash chamber 10 will be communicated to cylinder 40 below piston 39. Again, it may be necessary to alter the tension'of spring 41- or use a spring of diflerent stren th in order that the desired pressure may e maintained in flash chamber 10.

Instead of utilizing valve 36 to maintain a constant pressure and temperature in the flash chamber, it is obvious that it may be used to vary the-pressure and temperature maintained. Thus, if it is desired to reduce the pressure and tem erature, the tension on spring 41 is decrease whereby valve 36 will be closed by a lower pressure acting on piston 39.

It will thus be noted that I haveprovided an extremely simple means for obtaining a very close regulation of the temperature and pressure existing within the flash chamber. The apparatus operatesto maintain a substantially constant temperature and pressure, the only variation being that necessary to operate valve 36, and such variations are i only temporary, inasmuch as the opening or closing of valve 36 causes the temperature and pressure to almost immediately return to the temperature andpressure at which it is desired to maintain the flash chamber.

It will be understood that my method of regulation is applicable to other fluids such as milk. a

While I have shown and described one more or less specific embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is for purposes of illustration only and that modifications fall within its scope. My invention may be used with other than air conditioning apparatus. It will be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The method of refrigeration which comprises introducing liquid into a closed vessel, withdrawing vaporous fluid from said vessel to maintain a vacuum therein, and reintroducing a portion of said vaporous fluid into said vessel to regulate the degree of vacuum maintained therein.

2. The method of refrigeration which comprises introducing liquid into a closed vessel, withdrawing vaporous fluid from said vessel to maintain a vacuum therein, rein-' troducing a portion ofsaid vaporous fluid 9 to maintain a vacuum therein, reintroducing a portion of said vaporous fluid into said vessel, and controlling the amount of vaporous fluid reintroduced in accordance with the temperature of the fluid within said vessel so as to maintain a substantially constant degree of vacuum therein.

4. The method of refrigeration which comprises introducing liquid into a closed vessel, withdrawing vaporous fluid from said vessel to maintain a vacuum therein, reintroducing a portion of said vaporous fluid into said vessel, and controlling the amount of vaporous fluid reintroduced in accordance with the pressure of the fluid within said vessel so-as to maintain a substantially constant degree of vacuum therein.

5. The method of refrigeration which comprises introducing liquid into a closed vessel, withdrawing vaporous fluid from said vessel to maintain a vacuum therein, cooling the liquid in said vessel by evaporation due to the vacuum, withdrawing cooled liquid from said vessel, cooling air with said liquid, and reintroducing a portion of said vaporous fluid into said vessel to regulate the temperature to which said air is cooled.

6. The method of refrigeration which comprises introducing liquid into a closed vessel, withdrawing vaporous fluid from said vessel to maintain a vacuum therein, cooling the liquid in said vessel by evaporation due to the vacuum, withdrawing cooled liquid from said vessel, cooling air with said liquid, reintroducing a portion of said vaporous fluid into said vessel, and controlling the amount of vaporous fluid reintroduced so as to maintain substantially constant the temperature to which said air is cooled.

7. In a refrigerating apparatus, a flash chamber, means for introducingliquid into v said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, means for withdrawing vapor from said flash chamber, and means for introducing vapor into said flash chamber.

8. In a refrigerating apparatus,'a flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, means for withdrawing vapor from said flash chamber, means for reintroducing withdrawn vapor into said flash chamber, and means controlling the amount of vapor reintroduced so as to maintain a substantially constant. pressure in said flash chamber.

9. In a refrigerating apparatus, a' flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber. means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, means for withdrawing vapor from said flash chamber, means for reintroducing withdrawn vapor into said flash chamber. and means responsive to the pressure in said flash chamber for controlling the amount of vapor reintroduced thereinto. I

10. In a refrigerating apparatus, a flash chamber. means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, means for withdrawing vapor from said flash chamber,

means for reintroducing withdrawn vapor into said flash chamber, and means responslve to the temperature in said flash chamber for controlling the amount of vapor reintroduced thereinto.

11. In a refrigeratingapparatus, a flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, a thermocompressor having an intake passageway and an outlet passageway, means connecting said inlet assageway with said flash chamber, a con uit connecting said outlet passageway with said flash chamber, and means for controlling flow through said conduit. 1

12. In a refrigerating apparatus, a flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, a thermocompressor having an intake passageway and an outlet passageway, means connecting said inlet passageway with said flash chamber, a conduit connecting said outlet passageway with said flash chamber, avalve in said conduit, and means responsiye to temperature within said flash chamber for controlling said valve.

13. In a refrigerating apparatus, a flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, a thermocompressor having an intake passageway and an outlet passageway, means connecting sald' inlet passageway with said flash chamber, a conduit connecting said outlet passageway with said flash chamber, a valve in said" con duit, and means responsive to pressure within said flash chamber for controlling said valve.

14. In a refrigerating apparatus, a flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquidfrom said flash chamber, a. thermocompressor having an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway, means connecting said inlet passageway with said flash chamber, a condenser, means connecting said outlet passageway with said condenser, a conduit connecting said outlet passageway with "said flash chamber, and means for. controlling flow through said conduit. I 15. In a refrigerating apparatus, a flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, a thermocompressor having an inlet-passageway and an outlet passageway, means connecting said inlet passageway with said flash chamber, a condenser, means connecting said outlet passageway with said condenser, a conduit connecting said outlet passageway with said flash chamber. a valve in said conduit, and means responsive to temperature within said flash chamber for controlling said valve.

16. In a refrigerating apparatus, a flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, a thermocompressor having an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway, means connectin said inlet passageway with said flash cham er, a condenser, means connecting said outlet passageway with said condenser, a conduit connecting said outlet passageway with said flash chamber, a valve in said conduit, and

means responsive to pressure within said flash chamber for controlling said valve.

17. Air conditioning apparatus comprising a spray chamber, means to supply air' to and withdraw air from the spraychamber, a flash vessel, means to conduct water from the flash vessel to the spray chamber, a thermo-compressor connected to withdraw vapor from the flash chamber, a condenser connected to receive vapor from the thermocompressor, a by-pass conduit for conducting vapor from the discharge side of the thermocompressor back to the inlet side thereof, a valve in said by-pass conduit, means to conduct water from the spray chamber to the flash vessel, and automatic means for controlling said valve to maintain a substantially constant air condition.

18. Air conditioning apparatus comprising a spray chamber, means to supply air to and withdraw air from the spray chamber, a flash vessel, means to conduct water from the flash vessel to the spray chamber, a thermo-compressor connected to withdraw vapor from the flash chamber, a condenser connected to receive vapor from the thermocompressor, a by-pass conduit for conduct-4 ing vapor from the discharge side of the thermo-compressor back to the inlet side thereof, a valve in said by-pass conduit, means to conduct water from the spray chamber to the flash vessel, means to automatically control said valve in accordance with the condition of air in the spray cham her, and means for adjusting said valve.

19. The method of refrigeration which comprises introducing liquid into a closed vessel, withdrawing vapors of the liquid from the vessel to maintain a vacuum therein, withdrawing liquid from the vessel, and introducing vapor into said vessel to regulate the degree of vacuum maintained therein.

my signature. MEYER WEXLER.

20. The method of refrigeration which comprises introducing liquid into a closed vessel, withdrawing vapors of the liquid from the vessel to maintain a vacuum therein, withdrawing liquid from the vessel, in-

troducing vapor into said vessel to regulate the degree of vacuum maintained therein, and controlling the volume or vapor introduced into said vessel.

21. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a flash chamber, means for introducing liquid into said flash chamber, means for withdrawing liquid from said flash chamber, 

